Hong Kong: CHP reports imported H7N9 case

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 4) investigating an imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) affecting a man aged 65.

The patient, with underlying illnesses, lives in Longgang, Shenzhen alone. He developed fever, cough, blood-stained sputum and diarrhoea on March 31 in Shenzhen. His symptoms persisted and he was found to have fever and sore throat upon arrival in Hong Kong at Lo Wu Control Point on April 3 afternoon. He was directly transferred to the Accident and Emergency Department of North District Hospital (NDH) by ambulance and was admitted for management on the same day.

The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. His sputum specimen was tested positive for avian influenza A(H7N9) virus upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch this evening.

The patient is currently isolated in Princess Margaret Hospital under treatment in stable condition.

Initial epidemiological investigation revealed that he had recently bought slaughtered pigeons from a wet market near his residence in Shenzhen.

The CHP's investigations and contact tracing are ongoing. So far, there are no close contacts identified while other contacts including relevant healthcare workers, ambulance staff, and officers at Lo Wu Control Point will be traced for exposure assessment and medical surveillance.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 4) investigating an imported human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) affecting a man aged 65.

The patient, with underlying illnesses, lives in Longgang, Shenzhen alone. He developed fever, cough, blood-stained sputum and diarrhoea on March 31 in Shenzhen. His symptoms persisted and he was found to have fever and sore throat upon arrival in Hong Kong at Lo Wu Control Point on April 3 afternoon. He was directly transferred to the Accident and Emergency Department of North District Hospital (NDH) by ambulance and was admitted for management on the same day.

The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. His sputum specimen was tested positive for avian influenza A(H7N9) virus upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch this evening.

The patient is currently isolated in Princess Margaret Hospital under treatment in stable condition.

Initial epidemiological investigation revealed that he had recently bought slaughtered pigeons from a wet market near his residence in Shenzhen.

The CHP's investigations and contact tracing are ongoing. So far, there are no close contacts identified while other contacts including relevant healthcare workers, ambulance staff, and officers at Lo Wu Control Point will be traced for exposure assessment and medical surveillance.